It’s not unusual for several artists to be working at the same time here in Modica Way – Cambridge’s “Graffiti Alley” – which is a legal wall where artists can paint at will. But rarely are there so many artists here all at once that the entire alley gets transformed from one end to the other all in one day. So how did this happen? Story below….

Artists at work in Graffiti Alley. This is just a moment captured…. more artists came and went throughout the day.

Filmmaker Olivia Huang has been working on a documentary film about street art. In a conversation about the history of the alley, when a similar incident to this that happened in the past was mentioned, she became particularly enamored of the idea of a “paint party” where a bunch of artists would all converge upon the alley at once, to completely cover it with fresh art from end to end all in one day. But what would it take to make this happen? Perhaps it could be arranged sometime over the course of the summer? Who knows? What would it take to get a dozen or more artists on board to be there all at once?

She got in touch with artist Merkaveli (the artist formerly known as Merk Those), who knows everybody, to run the idea by him. And just like that, less than 24 hours later, as if by magic, a large enough crew of artists were recruited and a firm date was set…. done deal.

Film Maker Olivia Huang. Visit her Modica Way documentary website at Above The Free Walls and her Facebook page Graffiti Alley Photography and Film.Artist Merkaveli puts on some finishing touchesFinished mural by Merkaveli. See more of this artist’s work at his website MerkThose.com and on Instagram @merkaveli_. Merk Merch at Merkaveli at BigCartelArtist Brand Rockwell (Brandalizm) making sure everything is all lined up before filling in.Brandalizm work in progressCompleted mural. See more of this artist’s work on Instagram @brandalizm. Calligraphy headband embellishment by Ian Staber @esotericalligraffitiCalligrapher Ian StaberIan Staber calligraffiti work in progressFinished Piece. See more of this artist’s work on Intagram @esotericalligraffitiLady The Dog. She was supposed to be supervising, but we caught her sleeping on the job a few times.Artist Kameko Branchaud (Atelier Fu’una) work in progress on her skull and flowers piece.Finished skull and flowers piece. See more of this artist’s work on her website at Atelier Fu’una and on Instagram @atelier_fuunaOlivia Huang capturing footage for her upcoming street art documentary film. At left, Ian Staber. Crouching at center, Juan G. Santos (Juantopia)Artist Juan G. Santos (Juantopia) work in progressFinished piece birds by Juantopia. See more of this artist’s work on his website Juantopia.com and on Instagram @_juantopia_Artist Daequan J aka DJ Sketch getting up in his piece of the wallDJ Sketch finished pieces. See more of this artist’s work on Instagram @dj_sketch07Artist Gregory Maxim (MRNVR) Gay AF piece, still in rough draft modeMrNvr Work in progress…. it’s all starting to come together.Gay AF Mural complete. See more of this artist’s work on Instagram @mrnvrIan Staber adding calligraffiti embellishment to the lady’s headband on Brandalizm’s piece.Raodee Rekloos work in progress on his signature “Dirty Bird” character.Completed Dirty Bird mural. See more of this artist’s work on Instagram @raodee_rekloosArtist Edmund Amore work in progress on a banger.Amore graffiti mural complete. See more of this artist’s work on Instagram @edmundamore.Who’s left when the dust settles at the end of the day? From left to right, film maker Olivia Huang, Artists Kameko Branchaud (@Atelier_Fuuna), Raodee Rekloos (@raodee_rekloos), Brandalizm (@brandalizm), Edmund Amore (@edmundamore), Juan G. Santos (@juantopia), Merkaveli (@merkaveli_), Auks (@auks_one). Photo by Olivia Huang.

Video of work in progress throughout the day, and complete walk-through of the alley when finished:

Subscribe to the Seen Around Boston Youtube Channel for frequently updated passes through this frequently changing graffiti alley (and some other interesting stuff from around Boston as well).